Digital baseball and softball umpire game status indicator

ABSTRACT

A digital baseball and softball game umpire status indicator comprising a battery powered or otherwise powered electronic unit possessing inputs and associated indicators for balls, strikes, outs, innings, home team and road team scores, and trips to the pitching mound. The housing is ergonomically designed to avoid user fatigue and inadvertent actuation of the inputs. The apparatus also has a time feature, an input lock feature, reset feature, an audible output when the indicators are advanced, and a redundant securing means to prevent inadvertent dropping of the device by the user. The displays are illuminated as required to provide for easy reading at night and during daylight. The device may also be equipped with wireless capabilities for actuation of remote displays such as scoreboards.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a hand-held apparatus for assistingumpires to keep track of baseball and softball game status and rules.More particularly, the apparatus comprises a battery powered orotherwise powered electronic unit possessing inputs and associatedindicators for balls, strikes, outs, innings, home team and road(visitor) team scores, trip or trips to the pitching mound and a timer.The apparatus also has an input lockout feature, reset feature, anaudible output when the indicators are advanced or reach predeterminedsetpoints, a power control input, a preset timer hours input, a presettimer minutes input, a start timer input, a pause timer input, a resettimer/new game input, an edit input, and a half inning display. Thehousing is ergonomically designed to avoid user fatigue and inadvertentactuation of the inputs and is anchored by a redundant securing means toprevent inadvertent dropping of the device by the user. The displays areilluminated as required to provide for easy reading at night and duringdaylight.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

A game of baseball or softball is governed by rules of the game. Thecurrent status during the game, i.e., runs, outs, strikes, balls andinnings played, number of visits to the pitching mound, and in someinstances time limitations for little league or recreational softballgames determine the current score. Consequently, accurate record keepingof the score is vital to the flow and enforcement of game rules.

Devices widely used by baseball and softball umpires comprise metal orplastic cases with plastic or metal disks mounted therein. Each disk hasnumerals printed on the diameter which appear through apertures in thecases. Generally, there are four apertures corresponding to four disksrepresenting balls, strikes, outs, and inning. However, these devicessuffer from several drawbacks because they are simply hand held withoutany means to secure the devices within the user's hand or preventaccidental dropping. First, dust and dirt tend to get inside the casingcausing the movement of the disks to become impeded, and potentiallybroken if completely impeded. Second, the associated dust and dirtcommonly found at baseball and softball fields scratches off the paintednumbers on the disks thereby making the indicator difficult to read.Third, the devices are prone to being dropped or unintentionally thrownwhen making a “safe call” because there is no means to secure the deviceto the operator's hand.

Fourth, the devices do not record the runs scored by either team. Fifth,the devices do not contain a game timer with audio alarm. Sixth, thedevices do not contain a half inning indicator. Seventh, the devices donot have interactive incrementing of i.e. outs increment when a thirdstrike is called or inning or half inning advances when a third outoccurs. Consequently, a need exists for a device which isself-contained, easily readable, has more features and is securely heldby the umpire.

The present invention relates to a hand-held operated umpire's gamestatus indicator. The prior art devices, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,695do not incorporate a counter for keeping track of visits to the pitchermound by the manager or coaches. Pursuant to Major League Baseballrules, a second visit with a pitcher by a manager or coach requiresremoval of that pitcher from the game.

Unlike the prior art, manual reset of balls and strikes is not requiredafter the batter strikes out or achieves a base on balls. In addition,manual resetting of balls, strikes and outs is not required when thethird out is recorded for a half inning. Along with the automaticresetting of balls, strikes and outs after recordation of the thirdinning, the present invention automatically indicates which team is upat bat by highlighting either guest or home, and automatically advancingthe inning after the third out by the home team in their half of theinning.

Unlike the U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,695, the present invention permitsstatistical recordation beyond nine innings.

Further, all other prior art devices do not incorporate a redundantmeans to prevent accidental dropping or throwing of the apparatus.Dropping of electronic indicators such as the present invention, orsimple mechanical devices directly impacts the life-expectancy of thedevice.

Additionally prior art devices only register or display the statistic onthe hand held device. The present invention incorporates a wirelessfeature for interfacing with stadium scoreboards to display the officialstatistics to the spectators.

Unlike the prior art, the present invention incorporates ergonomicstyling to reduce hand fatigue, occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome, aswell as prevent actuation of the wrong input. The present invention alsopermits the user to relax and flex his/her hand without dropping thedevice. Furthermore, the shape facilitates actuation of the inputswithout the user looking at his or her hand to ensure actuation of theproper input.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a devicewhich performs game status functions and time control with clearlyarranged scoring and is simple to operate.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a scoring devicewhich includes actuation buttons for status update inputs and forstarting, pausing, presetting and resetting the timer.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a means to keeptrack of visits to the pitcher's mound in accordance with applicablerules.

A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a redundant meansto secure the device to the umpire's hand to avoid accidental droppingof the device. In one embodiment, the device is secured by an elasticcord which encircles the users palm and incorporates a lanyard which isplaced around the user's wrist. An alternate embodiment incorporates afinger loop or fingers loops similar to brass knuckles along with alanyard around the user's wrist or, in the alternative, an elastic cordencircling the user's hand.

The present invention is easier to operate and manufacture than the U.S.Pat. No. 5,084,695 which incorporate digital functions. The device isreadily portable and can easily fit in the umpire's hand or pocket, orstored in the umpire's equipment bag when not in use.

With the foregoing and other objects, advantages, and features of thepresent invention which will become hereinafter apparent, its nature maybe more clearly understood by reference to the following detaileddescription, the appended claims, and to the several views illustratedin the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of the device.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the right side of the device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the left side of the device.

FIG. 5 depicts an overhead view of the device.

FIG. 6 depicts a bottom view of the device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram indicating the control arrangement of thedevice.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment in actualuse.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment in actualuse.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the first alternate embodiment inactual use.

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the first alternate embodiment inactual use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A complete understanding of this invention can be gained throughreference to the drawings in conjunction with a thorough review of thedisclosure herein. To facilitate this understanding, a table of commonlyused reference numerals is provided.

-   1—case-   2—front face-   3—rear face-   4—right side-   5—left side-   6—top side-   7—bottom side-   10—display screen-   12—balls display-   14—strike display-   16—out display-   18—trip indicator-   20—visitor score-   22—home score-   24—time display-   28—first recess-   30—second recess-   32—third recess-   33—time start actuator-   36—strike actuator-   38—out actuator-   40—shift button-   42—score actuator-   44—trip actuator-   46—clear button-   34—balls actuator-   35—time stop actuator-   50—first strap anchor-   52—second strap anchor-   54—strap-   56—anchor-   58—loop-   70—lock button-   80—thumb grip-   90—first ring-   92—second ring-   94—third ring    Overview

The apparatus is capable of recording in-game status of balls, strikes,outs, runs, innings, visits to the pitcher by coaching staff, and time.

FIGS. 1 through 6 and FIGS. 8 and 9 depict the first embodiment of theinvention from all six perspective views. The device generally comprisesa case 1 possessing a front face 2, a rear face 3, a right side 4, aleft side 5, a top side 6, and a bottom side 7. The device is intendedto be held in the user's left hand because all signals by an umpire aregiven with the right hand according to baseball rules.

The Front Face

FIG. 1 depicts the front face 2 which incorporates display screen 10generally off-center toward left side 5. The display may be either LEDor LCD. It is preferred that the display screen 10 incorporates thereindisplays for balls 12, strikes 14, outs 16, inning 17, trips to themound 18, visitor score 22, home score 20, and time 24. Disposed withinfront face generally toward the right side is a first recess 28 for theuser's finger, a second recess 30 for the second finger, and a thirdrecess 32 for a third finger. Disposed within recess 28 is button 34 foractuating the balls display 12. Disposed within recess 30 is button 36for actuating the strikes display 14. Disposed within recess 32 isbutton 38 for actuating the outs display 16.

Disposed preferably beneath display screen 10 are the time dual functionactuators 33 and 35. Actuator 33 when depressed alone starts the timer.Actuator 35 when depressed alone stops the timer. When actuator 33 isdepressed in tandem with shift button 40, the timer is advanced forpurposes of presetting a time value on the countdown timer. Whenactuator 35 is depressed in tandem with shift button 40, time value isdecremented from the countdown timer.

Disposed preferably above display screen 10 is score actuator button 42and pitcher visitation counter button 44. Also located on front face 10is a manual clear button 46 for resetting both balls and strikes if thebatter does not strike out or receive a base on balls.

To power the umpire indicator “on” and “off” the invention may utilizeeither a singular dedicated power button, or actuation of a combinationof pre-existing buttons. Both methods of powering the device “on” and“off” widely recognized in the field of electronics.

When the device is turned on, the device automatically resets displayingzero runs for both teams, zero balls, zero strikes, zero outs, zerotrips to the pitcher, no time on the clock, and top of the first inning.Further explanation of the device functions is recited within thesubsection entitled control arrangement.

Rear Face

FIG. 2 depicts the rear face 3 opposite front face 2. Disposed generallyparallel along the vertical plane rear face 3 is strap anchor 50 andstrap anchor 52. It is preferred that anchors 50 and 52 are located asfar apart as possible along vertical axis of the device as close to theouter edge of rear face 3 as possible without compromising thestructural integrity of the device. Biased between anchors 50 and 52 isstrap 54. As depicted in FIG. 9, strap 54 encircles the hand of theoperator without impeding the operator's ability to actuate any of thebuttons on the front face of the device.

It is preferred that anchors 50 and 52 comprise horizontal bars deployedwithin separate recesses affording sufficient space to tether strap 54to the anchors and to provide the strap sufficient space to rotate. Itis also preferred that strap 54 comprise a loop created from Velcro topermit adjustment of the strap size to conform to the size of the user'shand. Alternatively, elastic, leather or fabric material with a means 50for adjusting the size of the strap to accommodate different sized handsof various users such as a buckle or other adjustment mechanisms knownin the art. Adjustment means 50 may be omitted if the material utilizedpossesses elastic properties. Because the strap is replaceable, dirtresistance does not necessarily have to be a factor in the choice ofmaterial for creation of strap 54.

Right Side

FIG. 3 depicts the right side 4 generally reflects four ridges createdfrom three recesses 28, 30 and 32 for alignment of the user's fingerswith buttons 34, 36 and 38. The upper most portion of the right side,above the recess 28, is generally flat with a shift button 40 disposedtherein. It is preferred that button 40 is recessed below the surface toavoid inadvertent actuation of the button. Button 40 when actuated inconjunction with buttons 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 44, and 42 will subtract anentry shown in the corresponding output. When button 40 is actuated incombination with buttons 33 or 35 the desired time for the count downtimer can be preset. When buttons 40 and 33 are actuated in concert, thetimer will increment. In contrast, when buttons 40 and 35 are actuatedin concert, the timer will decrement. When switch button 33 is depressedthe preset value in the timer display will start to decrement in realtime intervals. When switch button 35 is depressed the decrementing timevalue in the timer display will pause. When the timer decrements to zeroan audible alarm will sound.

Recess 28 is for the user's first finger, recess 30 for the user'ssecond finger, and recess 32 for the user's third finger. It ispreferred that recesses 28, 30 and 32 extend from the right portion ofthe front face 2 across the right side 4 on to the left portion of rearface 3. Generally for best comfort and ease of utilizing the device,recess 28 will be occupied by the user's middle finger, recess 30 willbe occupied by the user's ring finger, and recess 32 will be occupied bythe user's pinky.

While four sides are indicated, it should be understood that anyconfiguration could be used for this invention. The depicted inventionmay be equally considered as comprising five sides with the right siderepresenting two sides based upon the angle of the upper portion of theright side which incorporates button 40. The invention is generallyshaped to be easily and comfortably carried by the umpire, i.e., to fitwithin the palm of his or her hand.

Left Side

The left side 5, depicted by FIG. 4 is generally curved in a “C”-shape.The curvature of left side 5 is preferably designed to mirror thecurvature of the inside base portion, closest to the thumb, of aperson's hand for maximum comfort and grip.

Disposed within left side (FIG. 4) 5 is anchor 56. It is preferred thatanchor 56 is disposed in a recess with sufficient space to provide theloop sufficient freedom of movement so as not to encumber or annoy theuser when placed around the user's wrist as a means for redundant safetyagainst inadvertently dropping or throwing the device. Attached toanchor 56 is an adjustable loop 58. Incorporated within loop 58 is ameans 60 for adjusting the circumference of the loop to accommodate thevarying sizes of a user's wrist with the use of cinch or other mechanismthat is readily known in the art. It is preferred that the loop comprisea lanyard with a cinch strap to adjust the circumference of the loop.Alternatively, loop 58 may be fabricated from leather, plastic, elasticor other durable material which is comfortable for the user. Because theloop is replaceable, dirt resistance does not necessarily have to be afactor in the choice of material for creation of loop 58.

Top Side

Referring to FIG. 5, disposed within the top side 6 is a button 70 forlocking the device for preventing accidental actuation of switchbuttons. It is preferred that button 70 is recessed below the surface oftop side 6 to prevent inadvertent locking or unlocking of the device.For purposes of comfort, it is preferred that top side 6 incorporates alongitudinal recess 80 along its length for comfortable placement of theuser's thumb, and to provide an additional means for maintaining a gripon the device by the user.

Control Arrangement

When the device is first powered on, the statistics are all reset tozero, and the Guest output is highlighted to indicate the top of thefirst inning, i.e., the start of the baseball or softball match. Inaddition, the score button 42 when depressed, is programmed to initiallyincrement the guest score 22. The mound trip indicator 18 is preset toindicate zero trips to the mound for the home team pitcher.

If a player receives a base on balls, a.k.a. a walk or strikes out, thebatter statistics of balls and strikes are reset to zero when the thirdstrike is recorded or the fourth ball is recorded by the user.Otherwise, if a batter either achieves a hit or is retired by a put outin the field, the batter statistics of balls and strikes must be resetmanually using the batter clear button 46. If the batter is retired byan out, the user must manually record an out using button 38 which thenautomatically resets the strikes and balls output to zero.

When the third out of a half inning is recorded, the device resets theballs, strikes and outs, and actuates the runs and pitcher visits forthe other team. In addition, the display will highlight the actuatedteam. For example, when the third out is recorded in the top of aninning, the device will reset the balls, strikes and outs for thevisiting team to zero, highlight the home team on the display, andactuate scoring for the home team and trips to the pitching mound forthe guest/visiting team.

The timer may be used to keep account of the elapsed time of the game,or used alternatively as a timer to restrict the duration of the game.The elapsed time timer is simply actuated by pressing button 33 andstopping the time by depressing button 35. To function as a countdowntimer to restrict playing time, time is set utilizing shift button 40 inconcert with button 33 to increase the time set. In the event that theset time needs to be decreased because of a setting error, button 35 isactuated in concert with button 40 to decrease the time.

If a pitcher is replaced before the second visit to the mound, the moundtrip indicator may be reset by actuating shift button 40 in concert withbutton 44 to reset the indicator to zero. If a second mound visit isincurred, a distinctive sound is generated alerting the user that thetrip is a second visit to pitcher by the coaching staff. Thereafter, theuser will reset the mound trip indicator by actuating shift button 40 inconcert with button 44 to reset the indicator to zero.

As an additional feature, an audible output may be integrated into theinvention. This audible output can emit different tones for actuation ofeach of the different functions, i.e., outs, strikes, balls, and tripsto the pitcher's mound.

To power the umpire indicator “on” and “off” the invention may utilizeeither a singular dedicated power button, or actuation of a combinationof pre-existing buttons. Both methods of powering the device “on” and“off” widely recognized in the field of electronics.

Alternate Embodiments

As depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10, strap 48 may be eliminated in favor loops90, 92, and 94 which extend outward from the left side 5 of the device,and each are aligned with recesses 28, 30, and 32, respectively. Theinclusion of loops 90, 92, and 94 in conjunction with recesses 28, 30,and 32 creates a brass knuckle-type grip which some users find morecomfortable than strap 50. Incorporation of a brass knuckle-type gripintegrated as part of the device eliminates any concern about durabilityof strap 50 as well as cleanliness of strap 50 due to ambient dirt andperspiration of the user. Although it may not be as comfortable, ifloops 90, 92, and 94 are incorporated in lieu of strap 50, recesses 28,30, and 32 may be eliminated from the design.

Although it is preferred that the display screen 10 incorporatesdisplays for balls 12, strikes 14, outs 16, inning 17, trips to themound 18, visitor score 22, home score 20, and time 24, not all outputsare required to make this an effective device for baseball and softballgames. At a minimum, statistical recordation and outputs for this devicemay comprise balls, strikes, and outs with associated actuators in thesame position as articulated above.

This device might be made to use a remote display screen such as ascoreboard, computer, or other electronic unit in conjunction with or inlieu of screen 10 depicted using blue available wireless technology suchas a Personal Area Network (PAN) commonly known as Bluetooth technology,Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) IEEE802.11, Broadband Wireless Access(BWA) WiMAX IEEE802.16, Wireless USB (also known as EZRADIO), WirelessPower Area Network (WPAN) Zigbee IEEE 802.15.4 which is a low speed, lowpower and low cost means for wireless communication, or a Wireless AreaNetwork (WAN) GPRS/GSM 1XRTT/CDMA which is a high speed wirelessconnection.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While the above description contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but asexemplifications of the presently preferred embodiments thereof. Manyother ramifications and variations are possible within the teaching ofthe invention.

Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, and not solely by the examplesgiven.

1. A digital baseball and softball umpire game status indicatorcomprising: a housing comprising a front face and rear face; a displaylocated on said front face comprising an outs indicator, a strikesindicator, a balls indicator, and an inning indicator; a means foractuating each of said indicators; a control means which is responsiveto said means for actuating said indicators; and a loop flexiblyanchored to said housing for securing said umpire indicator to the wristof the user to prevent inadvertent dropping of the device.
 2. The umpiregame status indicator in claim 1, wherein said display further comprisesan indicator for recording trips to the pitcher's mound; a means foractuating said trip indicator; and said control means further responsiveto said means for actuating said trip indicator.
 3. The umpire gamestatus indicator in claim 1, wherein said innings indicator permitsrecordation beyond nine innings.
 4. The umpire game status indicator inclaim 1, wherein said display further comprises a time indicator fortracking either elapsed time of the game or a countdown time after beingset for a predetermined time period; a means for actuating said timeindicator; and said control means which is further responsive to saidmeans for actuating said time indicator.
 5. The umpire game statusindicator in claim 1, wherein said display comprises a liquid crystaldisplay or a light emitting diode display.
 6. The umpire game statusindicator in claim 1 further comprising a first attachment means affixedto said rear face; a second attachment means affixed to said rear face;and a strap biased in between said first attachment means and saidsecond attachment means to permit the user to grip the device.
 7. Theumpire status indicator in claim 1 wherein said control meansautomatically resets the balls indicia and strikes indicia for a batterupon recordation of an out by said umpire.
 8. The umpire statusindicator in claim 1 wherein said control means automatically resets theballs indicia, strikes indicia, and outs indicia upon recordation of athird out.
 9. The umpire status indicator in claim 1 wherein saidcontrol means automatically highlights a batting team upon recordationof the third out.
 10. A digital baseball and softball umpire game statusindicator comprising: a housing comprising a front face and rear face; adisplay located on said front face comprising an outs indicator, astrikes indicator, a balls indicator, an inning indicator, an indicatorfor recording trips to the pitcher's mound, and a time indicator fortracking either elapsed time of the game or a countdown time after beingset for a predetermined time period; a means for actuating each of saidindicators; a control means which is responsive to said means foractuating said indicators; and a loop flexibly anchored to said housingfor securing said umpire indicator to the wrist of the user to preventinadvertent dropping of the device.
 11. The umpire status indicator inclaim 10 further comprising an audible means operatively connected tosaid control means for emitting a first tone when said balls indicatoris actuated; a second tone when said strikes indicator is actuated; athird tone when said out indicator is actuated; a fourth tone when saidcountdown timer expires; and fifth tone when said trip indicator isactuated whereby the user can distinguish the actuated indicator by itsunique tone.
 12. The umpire status indicator of claim 10 furthercomprising an audible means operatively connected to said control meansfor emitting a first series of tones when said balls indicator isactuated; a second series of tones when said strikes indicator isactuated; a third series of tones when said out indicator is actuated;and a fourth series of tones when said countdown timer expires wherebythe user can distinguish the actuated indicator by its unique series oftones.
 13. The umpire game status indicator in claim 10, wherein saiddisplay further comprises an indicator for home team score and anindicator for said visiting team score; a means for actuating saidindicator for home team score and said indicator for said visiting teamscore; and said control means further responsive to said means foractuating said indicator for home team score and said indicator for saidvisiting team score.
 14. The umpire game status indicator in claims 10wherein a correction means permits the correction of said indicators; ameans for actuating correction of said indicators; and said controlmeans further responsive to said means for correcting said indicators.15. A digital baseball and softball umpire game status indicatorcomprising: a housing comprising a right side, a left side, a top side,a bottom side, a front face and a rear face; said right side comprisinga four ridge scallop shape formed by a first recess, a second recess anda third recess extending from the right side of said front face acrosssaid right side around to said rear face for comfortable placement ofthe user's fingers; a display located on said front face comprising anouts indicator, a strikes indicator, a balls indicator, an inningindicator, an indicator for recording trips to the pitcher's mound, anda time indicator for tracking either elapsed time of the game or acountdown time after being set for a predetermined time period; a meansfor actuating said indicators located on said housing; and a controlmeans which is responsive to said means for actuating outs, strikes,balls, trips and time and inning on said display.
 16. The umpireindicator in claim 15 wherein said means for actuating said ballindicator is disposed in said first recess on said front face; saidmeans for actuating said strike indicator is disposed in said secondrecess on said front face; and said means for actuating said outindicator is disposed in said third recess on said front face.
 17. Theumpire game status indicator in claim 15 wherein said left sidecomprises a generally convex curvature matching the general curvature ofa human left hand.
 18. The umpire game status indicator in claim 15,further comprising a first attachment means affixed to said rear face; asecond attachment means affixed to said rear face; and a strap biasedbetween said first attachment means and said second attachment means topermit the user to grip the device.
 19. The umpire status indicator inclaim 15, further comprising a loop anchored with adjustment means andmeans for attaching said loop to said left side of said housing toprevent the inadvertent dropping of said indicator.
 20. The umpire gamestatus indicator in claim 15, wherein said innings indicator permitsrecordation beyond nine innings.
 21. The umpire status indicator inclaim 15 further comprising an audible means operatively connected tosaid control means for emitting a first tone when said balls indicatoris actuated; a second tone when said strikes indicator is actuated; athird tone when said out indicator is actuated; and a fourth tone whensaid countdown timer expires whereby the user can distinguish theactuated indicator by its unique tone.
 22. The umpire game statusindicator in claims 15 wherein a correction means permits the correctionof said indicators; a means for actuating correction of said indicators;and said control means which is further responsive to said means forcorrecting said indicators.
 23. The umpire status indicator in claim 15wherein said control means automatically resets the balls indicia andstrikes indicia for a batter upon recordation of an out by said umpire.24. The umpire status indicator in claim 15 wherein said control meansautomatically resets the balls indicia, strikes indicia, and outsindicia upon recordation of a third out.
 25. The umpire status indicatorin claim 15 wherein said control means automatically highlights abatting team upon recordation of the third out.
 26. A digital baseballand softball umpire game status indicator comprising: a housingcomprising a right side, a left side, a top side, a bottom side, a frontface and a rear face; said right side comprising a four ridge scallopshape formed by a first recess, a second recess and a third recessextending from the right side of said front face across said right sidearound to said rear face for comfortable placement of the user'sfingers; said left side comprises a generally convex curvature matchingthe general curvature of a human left hand; a display located on saidfront face comprising an outs indicator, a strikes indicator, a ballsindicator, an inning indicator, an indicator for recording trips to thepitcher's mound, and a time indicator for tracking either elapsed timeof the game or a countdown time after being set for a predetermined timeperiod; means for actuating said indicators located on said housing; acontrol means which is responsive to said means for actuating outs,strikes, balls, trips, time and inning on said display; and a first loopextending outward from said right side from said first ridge to saidsecond ridge; a second loop adjacent to and generally aligned with saidfirst loop extending from said second ridge to said third ridge; and athird loop adjacent to and generally aligned with said second loopextending from said third ridge to said fourth ridge to create abrass-knuckle-like grip for the user.
 27. The umpire status indicator inclaim 26 wherein said means for actuating said ball indicator isdisposed in said first recess on said front face; a means for actuatingsaid strike indicator is disposed in said second recess on said frontface; and a means for actuating said out indicator is disposed in saidthird recess on said front face.
 28. The umpire status indicator inclaim 26 further comprising an audible means operatively connected tosaid control means for emitting a first tone when said balls indicatoris actuated; a second tone when said strikes indicator is actuated; athird tone when said out indicator is actuated; and a fourth tone whensaid countdown timer expires whereby the user can distinguish theactuated indicator by its unique tone.
 29. The umpire game statusindicator in claim 26 wherein a correction means permits the correctionof said indicators; a means for actuating correction of said indicators;and said control means is further responsive to said means forcorrecting said indicators.
 30. The umpire status indicator in claim 26wherein said control means automatically resets the balls indicia andstrikes indicia for a batter upon recordation of an out by said umpire.31. The umpire status indicator in claim 26 wherein said control meansautomatically resets the balls indicia, strikes indicia, and outsindicia upon recordation of a third out.
 32. The umpire status indicatorin claim 26 wherein said control means automatically highlights abatting team upon recordation of the third out.
 33. The umpire statusindicator in claim 1 further comprising a wireless means to display saidindicators in said display on a remote display device.